The CSU Political Science Alumni Newsletter
We are excited to welcome back the PoliGRAM Alumni Newsletter! Below you will find content from the Spring 2024 newsletter. We look forward to reconnecting with our alumni, and share department happenings.
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Message From the Chair
Spring 2024 Alumni Newsletter
On behalf of my colleagues in the Department of Political Science, I am delighted to present the Spring 2024 PoliGRAM alumni newsletter. The newsletter captures many of the happenings of the past semester—including department events, awards and a retirement announcement.
The spring semester was filled with numerous cross-campus events centered around the theme of Democracy including most recently the Democracy Summit—a special weeklong event showcasing CSU’s longstanding efforts in democracy and civic spaces. The Democracy Summit took place April 8-12 and featured two prominent keynote speakers: Emmy-winning stand-up comedian and producer W. Kamau Bell on April 8 and renowned political scientist Robert D. Putnam on April 12. We had numerous representatives from the department and the Straayer Center serving all year on the Democracy Summit Planning Committee—demonstrating our leadership role on campus in the democracy space. I was encouraged by the number of students, staff, and community members who were able to attend the events both on and off campus.
After over four decades on the faculty in the CSU Department of Political Science, Dr. Stephen Mumme will be retiring at the end of the 2024 spring semester. Steve has spent his career specializing in comparative government with a focus on environmental politics and policy—with a research focus that has centered on water management and environmental politics along the U.S.-Mexico border. Steve has authored or co-authored several monographs and more than 150 journal articles and chapters. He is best known as a leading authority on the work of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico and the landmark 1944 Water Treaty that governs transboundary water management. I want to share my gratitude for Steve’s service and contributions in the department and university, and my immense respect for his dedication to research and teaching that has elevated the Department of Political Science.
Below you will find an article featuring our recent student and faculty award recipients recognized at the spring awards ceremonies—congratulations on the well-deserved awards. We are always interested in hearing about our alumni and your many accomplishments since graduating. If you have any news or stories that you would like to share with us and that we may include in future newsletters, please email them to our communications coordinator, Elise Dietrich. We also encourage you to stay connected via our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter).
Lastly, much of what we do would not be possible without our incredible alumni and friends. Your support is essential to the continued growth of our department. We particularly appreciate your contributions to scholarships that support our students.
Robert Duffy,
Department Chair
Feature Stories
CSU student earns prestigious language program award and public policy fellowship
May 03 , 2024 By Joe Giordano Amber Wright Amber Wright, majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts, is used to being busy, shouldering a full load of classes, student activities and internships that have included working for U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper. Wright, a second-year undergraduate at Colorado State University, recently learned […]
Department of Political Science celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding students at the 2024 Spring Awards Ceremony
On April 17, 2024, the Department of Political Science celebrated the accomplishments of our outstanding students at the 2024 Spring Awards Ceremony which recognized scholarship and academic award recipients. Spring 2024 Political Science Award Recipients Outstanding Seniors: Alayna Truxal and Daniela Salazar Outstanding Junior: Oleg Soloviov John Straayer Citizenship and Public Service Scholarship – […]
Q&A: Environmental Politics and Policy Professor Stephen Mumme reflects on 40-year CSU career
After over four decades on the faculty in the CSU Department of Political Science, Dr. Stephen Mumme will be retiring at the end of the 2024 spring semester. Mumme spent his career specializing in comparative government with a focus on environmental politics and policy— with a research focus that has centered on water management […]
Five political science faculty recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service in 2024
The College of Liberal Arts presented the 2024 college awards to faculty and staff who are recognized for their contributions to their units, the college, the university, and to their colleagues and their profession/discipline. Five faculty members from the Department of Political Science received awards which were presented on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the All-College […]
2023 Outstanding Students
Leticia Madrigal-Tapia — a third-year political science student — has been selected to receive the Voyager Scholarship, formally known as the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. Madrigal-Tapia is part of the scholarship’s second cohort and is the first student from CSU to earn this prestigious honor. The Obama Foundation made the announcement on Aug. 22. […]
Distinguished Alumni Awards
The Distinguished Alumni Awards program recognizes CSU alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally, brought honor to the University, and have made significant contributions of time and/or philanthropy to the University and their community. These alumni represent the very best of the values we hold dear – extraordinary achievement, selfless public service, and a lifelong commitment […]
Faculty Awards and Recognition
Two political science department professors were recently recognized in the 2023 Celebrate! Colorado State Awards and 2023 Celebrate! Provost Awards. Assistant Professor Dominik Stecuła was recognized in the 2023 Celebrate! Colorado State Awards with an Honorable Mention for the Provost Research Scholar award. Assistant Professor and Interim Director of the MPPA, Allison White, received the […]
Faculty Notes
We are excited to officially introduce the newest faculty members to the Department of Political Science. Professor(s) Clare Brock and Kristin Olofsson recently joined the department in August 2023. Professor(s) Iasmin Goes and Daniel Weitzel have been with the department since August 2022. 2023 New Faculty Members Clare Brock (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, […]
Legislative Internship Program Celebrates 50 Years
For hundreds of Colorado State University students, their college experience was highlighted by early mornings piling into a van headed for Denver, the hum of debate in the House and Senate chambers, the connections built in legislative offices, and the memories made over lunch during their time as legislative interns. This year marks the 50th […]